11 Intriguing New Spring 2026 Whiskey Releases

Spring is a time for renewal and revival, when flowers blossom, grass grows and birds chatter incessantly outside your office window. With the abundance of press releases I’ve gotten lately, it’s also a time for innovative and extra-aged releases from the bourbon and whiskey world. And there’s certainly no complaining about that. After all, when the world teeters on uncertainty mixed with reinvigoration, a steady stream of great new bourbons reminds us that not all is doom and gloom. These 11 whiskeys have something to talk about, and I’m going to sip while I listen earnestly.

Note: The distilleries supplied some of these samples; the opinions are my own.

Kentucky Peerless Henry Kraver’s Old Reserve Bourbon

117.6 Proof | $195

Henry Kraver’s Old Reserve Bourbon. Photo credit Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co.

Details: This new 10-year release is a huge milestone for the Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. in Louisville. It’s the distillery’s oldest age-stated bourbon since opening their doors in 2015, and the name pays homage to owner Corky Taylor’s great-grandfather Henry Kraver, who first started Kentucky Peerless in 1889 in Henderson, Ky. Using the sweet mash process and utilizing a low barrel entry proof, the modern-day Peerless has won numerous awards for its quality uncut, unfiltered bourbon and whiskey. And this one, no doubt, will win over many. I was happy to stand in line on the day they released this gem.

Tasting Notes: You better believe I’m glad I stood in line for this one! Holy cow! The color itself is worth noting, a dark amber that signifies well-aged bourbon. And the juice is thick, which I love. The nose reminds me of a vintage whiskey and, dare I say, is slightly reminiscent of a Pappy 15. The palate drips with honey and vanilla ice cream, and you just know you’re tasting something special here. I’m getting an old-fashioned ice cream float made with Cherry Coke, but better than that, of course, because it’s whiskey. There are so many layers here that I might be coming back to this again and again. I think I might have just tasted Havarti cheese, which is a first! The finish is long and oozes tobacco, chocolate-covered cherries, and sweet vanilla cream. I need more of this in my life.

Jack Daniel’s 14 Year Batch 2

117.6 Proof | $149.99

Jack Daniel’s 14 Year Batch 2. Photo credit Jack Daniel’s

Details: Last year, the 14-year-old Jack Daniel’s landed in my top 5 of the year list, and now here’s a second batch for all the higher-aged Jack fans like me. I know there are many out there, because it’s damn near impossible to find a bottle in a store. I appreciate the higher proof as well, because whiskey this age shouldn’t be watered down. This batch doesn’t disappoint.

Tasting Notes: Jack wins the nose category here by a long shot. I didn’t even have to bring this to my face to get a whiff of the mouthwatering whiskey. Notes of fresh-baked banana bread, baking spices, and burnt caramel permeate the air, while on the palate, you’re rewarded with rich oak, marshmallow cream and bananas foster — plus a pinch of black pepper that brings the heat. The finish tingles with brown sugar, honey, and dark chocolate. I could sip this all day.

Very Olde St. Nick Immaculata Bourbon

118.2 Proof | $260

Very Olde St. Nick Immaculata Bourbon. Photo credit Preservation Distillery

Details: Even though the brand has been around for 40 years, Very Olde St. Nick isn’t a household bourbon brand unless you’re a major aficionado or you’re a Kentucky resident. Now produced at the small but mighty Preservation Distillery in Bardstown, Ky., which prides itself on pot still distillation, VOSN should be near the top of your list of bourbons to try, buy, hunt, and collect. This Immaculata bottle is a small blend of three whiskeys: 8-year Preservation wheated pot-distilled bourbon, 10-year high-rye Kentucky bourbon, and 19-year Kentucky bourbon. Preservation has a solid inventory of extra-aged bourbons, and they like to blend that with their own aged distillate. The result is high-quality whiskey that disappears faster than mild spring temperatures in Bourbon Country. 

Tasting Notes: On the nose, I get pleasant notes of cinnamon, clove, and green apple. Those carry through to the palate and are joined by a mouthwatering viscosity of marshmallow cream, graham cracker, black pepper, and coffee. There is also a mild oak note that is welcome, likely from the 19-year bourbon. It’s smooth like butter and rich like a mocha latte. The finish lingers with chocolate-cherry fudge.

Daniel Weller Spelt Wheat

94 Proof | $549.99

Daniel Weller Spelt Wheat. Photo credit Buffalo Trace Distillery

Details: The second edition of the limited Daniel Weller line, this wheated gem from Buffalo Trace Distillery is an experiment with spelt wheat, one of the world’s oldest wheat strains. It’s not normally used in whiskey-making, but it has a subtle sweetness and interesting nuttiness that makes it perfect for baking. So in the name of pioneer distiller Daniel Weller, grandfather of William Larue Weller, they’re creating this line of experimental versions of Weller. This one is also 10 years old and bottled at 94 proof. Oh, and it has a pretty cool compass stopper that is engraved with the coordinates of Weller’s original Kentucky farm in Botland. Hey, it’s not $500+ for nothing!

Tasting Notes: I’m definitely digging these fresh-baked biscuit notes on the nose. It’s like walking into a pastry shop first thing in the morning. The palate is bright and fruity, but it’s honestly a little thin for a 10-year bourbon. I’m not getting as much oak as I thought I would, and even at a somewhat low 94 proof, it burns like it’s much higher. The finish brings back some biscuit and cashew notes, but it’s short-lived for such an expensive bourbon. I think I get more flavor from the Weller Antique at a fraction of the price.

Elijah Craig 15-Year-Old Single Barrel

108 Proof | $149.99

Elijah Craig 15-Year-Old Single Barrel. Photo credit Heaven Hill Distillery

Details: Just as many have surmised with today’s current bourbon market, age statements are starting to come back onto labels, and that’s a great thing! Case in point: this high-proof 15-year Elijah Craig that joins the brand’s premium lineup. At 108 proof, the single-barrel bourbon is bottled significantly higher than the 18-year-old (90 proof) expression, and I found it to be richer in flavor because of that. I know Heaven Hill is sitting on a lot of aged barrels, so we the consumers will happily benefit from this, and I believe this 15-year release is one of many to come. 

Tasting Notes: If I had to choose between this new 15-year Elijah Craig and the previously released 18-year version, I would pick the 15 without hesitation. The higher proof just allows those deep, rich oak notes to shine, as well as hints of baked cherries, dates, caramel apple, and baking spices. From the nose, which smells like walking into a Kentucky rickhouse in July, to the long, effervescent finish, this one should be on your bar shelves at all times. Now, if only we could readily find it.

Angel’s Envy Rye 10 Cask Strength Rye

111.6 Proof | $269.99

Angel’s Envy Rye 10 Cask Strength Rye. Photo credit Angel’s Envy

Details: While the 100-proof Angel’s Envy Rye is a fine expression sipped mainly as a divine dessert, I’ve always wondered what the cask strength version of this might taste like. And apparently, so did Master Distiller Owen Martin. For this new product, he not only bottled the Caribbean rum-finished rye whiskey at cask strength, but he aged it longer in both the original charred oak barrels as well as four years in the rum barrels for a combined age of 10 years. Now we’re talking! And I’ll be sipping this more often than just for dessert.

Tasting Notes: On the nose of this decadent rye, I get French toast drizzled with maple syrup. The sweetness from the rum barrels follows through to the palate, with notes of honeydew, black pepper, sweet oak, fig, and coffee cake. The finish is long and rewarding, tingling with maple, cinnamon, and sweet bran. The more I sip on this, the more I taste a fresh bowl of Raisin Bran. Hey, it wouldn’t be the first time I have whiskey for breakfast.

Little Book Chapter 10: “All the Wiser”

122.6 Proof | $159.99

Little Book Chapter 10: “All the Wiser.” Photo credit James B. Beam Distilling Co.

Details: For this new Little Book, the 10th in the series, Master Distiller Freddie Noe took what he learned from the nine previous releases and blended up quite a concoction of Beam’s best bourbons. The six whiskeys in this blend are all bourbon, so this Little Book can be classified as such. Going into the blend are: 14-year Basil Hayden, 11-year Knob Creek, 10-year Booker’s, 9-year Knob Creek, 9-year Baker’s, and 4-year Jim Beam finished in sherry and toasted casks. Noe certainly knows what he’s doing, and he has a great inventory to work with. Who doesn’t love these Little Book experiments? The future is fun. 

Tasting Notes: This bourbon is indeed greater than the sum of its parts, and I’m not saying any one of those parts is of lower quality. I don’t know how he does it, but Freddie knocks it out of the park once again with this blend of bourbons. The nose reminds me of fresh-baked brownies with a caramel drizzle. And the palate drips with baked cherries, tobacco, black pepper, and butterscotch. This is a sipper you want to go back to again, and each time you’re going to get something different and delectable. The finish is long and spicy, with a thickness of honey at the end. This is a fine blend of Kentucky bourbons that are fine on their own, but they shine as a composite.

Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm Wheat Whisky Batch 2

116.4 Proof | $100

Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm Wheat Whisky. Photo credit Maker’s Mark

Details: This is the second release of Maker’s Star Hill Farm Wheat Whisky, and I must say it’s even deeper, richer, and brighter than Batch 1. This new brand is the first time Maker’s has changed up its mashbill since 1953, so you know a lot of thought, time, and effort was put into it. According to Lead Blender Beth Burrows and Master Distiller Blake Layfield, they not only experimented with wheat and malted wheat, but also with three different types of wheat: soft red winter wheat, hard white wheat, and heirloom hard red. The resulting 2026 mashbill for the certified Estate Whiskey comes out to 27% wheat, 62% malted wheat, and 11% malted barley, and the whiskey is a blend of 7- and 8-year-olds bottled at cask strength. All the other levers that are pulled to make the signature Maker’s Mark were the same: same yeast, same barrel entry proof (110), etc., except for one nuance: these barrels were not rotated in the rickhouse.

Tasting Notes: I was fortunate to try the 2025 next to the 2026 version, and even though last year’s was great and delicious on its own, this release is even richer, more complex, and a little softer around the edges — in a good way. The palate just oozes with fig and baking spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. And this might sound strange, but I get a sugary fruit note that reminds me of the cherry in Runts candy. The finish is warm and lingering, with hints of milk chocolate, honey, and cinnamon. I’m blown away by how tasty this is and can’t wait to go back again and again.

Bardstown Bourbon Co. Distillery Reserve Mars Single Malt Japanese Blend

109.8 Proof | $99.99

Bardstown Bourbon Co. Distillery Reserve Mars Single Malt Japanese Blend. Photo credit Bardstown Bourbon Co.

Details: Bardstown Bourbon Co. is up to some innovative things recently, most notably in their limited Distillery Reserve releases. These 375ml offerings can only be found at the distillery in Bardstown or the Louisville tasting room, but they are worth the effort to get. This latest one brings together Japanese single malts and well-aged Kentucky bourbons for a collaboration beyond traditions and borders. Partnering with Japan’s Mars distilleries, the offering blends 10- and 16-year Kentucky bourbons with 5-year single malt from the Komagatake Distillery and 5-year single malt from the Tsunuki Distillery. The Japanese whisky was brought to Bardstown, where it was added to the bourbon and aged in the same barrel for a year. What’s also interesting is the Komagatake whisky was aged in Umeshu (plum liqueur) barrels before coming to Kentucky, and the Tsunuki whisky was aged in rare Sakura (cherry wood) barrels.

Tasting Notes: This whiskey is special. The nose from the start is incredible, with notes of apricot, fig, malt, and toasted nuts. On the palate, the oak from the aged bourbons shows up, but it’s downplayed by the unique single malt casks that bring hints of caramelized plums, baked cherries, vanilla cream, and chocolate malt. It’s definitely not as rich or sweet as bourbon, but it brings an entirely new, lighter flavor to sipping whiskey. It makes me want to chew as I sip, and that’s a good thing. The finish tapers off after a few surprising notes of raisin and Cherry Coke.

Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Wheated Bourbon Batch 3

107.8 Proof | $99.99

Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Wheated Bourbon Batch 3. Photo credit Heaven Hill Distillery

Details: This is the third year of Heaven Hill’s Grain to Glass releases, and 2026 is all about the wheated bourbons. If you’re unfamiliar, the series uses grains grown locally around the Bardstown distillery and focuses on certain seed varietals. This first release of three features the same wheated mashbill as previous releases (52% corn, 35% wheat, 13% malted barley) but uses a new corn seed varietal from Peterson Farms in Nelson County, Ky. It has a low barrel entry proof of 107 and was aged for 6 years. The other two releases coming later this year include the same wheated bourbon aged in French oak barrels for 6 years, and one that has been aged for 9 years in standard bourbon barrels using a different corn seed varietal. I am looking forward to those as well, especially the French oak. 

Tasting Notes: The nose is bright with honeydew, toffee, and apricot. At first sip, the whiskey is warming and sweet, with notes of baked cherries and brown sugar. I swear I’m even tasting some toasted coconut. The bourbon finishes long, with a little hug from the 107 proof, but also pleasant notes of buttery pie crust, tobacco, and vanilla frosting. That low barrel entry proof really makes this a viscous whiskey as well. Delicious.

New Riff Balboa Rye Bottled-in-Bond

100 Proof | $59.99

New Riff Balboa Rye Whiskey. Photo credit New Riff Distilling

Details: A new batch of this award-winning rye whiskey was released earlier this year, and it shows off the Kentucky distillery’s ongoing exploration with heirloom grains. With a mashbill of 95% Balboa rye and 5% malted barley, the whiskey also is designated Bottled-in-Bond and is non-chill filtered. For perspective, Balboa rye was widely used in the 1940s, and New Riff has made it its mission to bring the grain varietal back to modern-day distillation. And thank goodness they did. It’s so unique for the category, and it’s definitely a rye whiskey for people who don’t think they like rye whiskey.

Tasting Notes: The nose permeates with fresh-baked biscuits and candied apples. The hotter spice often found in ryes isn’t here on the palate, but there’s a beautiful cherry note that dominates, along with sugar cookies, mild oak, and caramel drizzle. The finish is warm and lingering, with hints of citrus and milk chocolate. This is a solid rye whiskey!